Table 5.

Summary of randomized clinical trials investigating the effects of vitamin D supplementation on stroke outcome

Authors	Year	Intervention (patient number)	Outcome(s)	Results
Narasimhan et al. 163	2017	Cholecalciferol 6 lac IU i.m. (n = 30 per group)	3 month SSS	Stroke outcome significantly improved in vitamin D deficient—but not insufficient—patients once supplemented (mean 6.39 ± 4.56 vs. 2.50 ± 2.20; P < 0.001)
Sari et al. 164	2018	Cholecalciferol 300 000 IU i.m. (n = 36 per group)	BRS FAS MBI BBT (all at 3 months)	3.09 ± 0.99 vs. 3.34 ± 5.28; P = 0.794 2.34 ± 1.31 vs. 1.60 ± 1.16; P = 0.018 59.18 ± 22.15 vs. 41.87 ± 20.42; P = 0.002 38.72 ± 14.14 vs. 24.75 ± 14.76; P < 0.001
Momosaki et al. 165	2019	Cholecalciferol 2 000 IU/die i.m. (n = 49/48)	Barthel Index Hand grip strength improved (right/left) Calf circumference improved (right/left) (all at Week 8)	19 ± 15 vs. 20 ± 13; P = 0.480 27%–20% vs. 25%–18%; P = 0.770;0.740 19%–20% vs. 23%–20%; P = 0.770;0.600
Rist et al. 166 from the VITAL study	2021	Cholecalciferol 2 000 IU/die i.m. in primary prevention (n = 104/93 per group)	Nagi scale Rosow-Breslau scale Katz AD scale	OR 1.01 [95% CI 0.52–1.97] OR 0.92 [95% CI 0.59–1.67] OR 1.03 [95% CI 0.31–3.42]
Torrisi et al. 167	2021	Cholecalciferol 2 000 IU/die i.m. (n = 15/14) per group)	MADRS FIM GSE (all at 12 weeks)	Both groups improved mood and functional recovery independently of vitamin D supplementation
Wang et al. 168	2021	Cholecalciferol 600 IU/die i.m. (n = 72/51 per group)	mRS FSS (both at 3 months)	FSS and mRS significanlty lowered in the supplementation group (P < 0.01 for both)

CI, confidence interval; OR, odds ratio; SSS, Scandinavian Stroke Scale; BRS, Brunnstrom recovery staging; FAS, functional ambulation scale; MBI, modified Barthel index; BBS, Berg balance scale; MADRS, Montgomery Aasberg depression rating scale; FIM, functional independent measures; GSE, general self-efficacy; mRS, modified Rankin score; FSS, fatigue severity scale.